Lab Med Online.  2021 Oct;11(4):217-222. 10.47429/lmo.2021.11.4.217.

Initial Response of the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine to the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Yun SG
• Ko DH
• Kim YE
• Roh KH
• Lee J
• Cho JH
• Ji M
• Hong KH
• Park HD
• Kwon GC

• KMID: 2526078
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.47429/lmo.2021.11.4.217

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019. The cause of COVID-19 is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel virus phylogenetically similar to the SARS virus. The symptoms of COVID-19 are non-specific, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through contact with infected persons as well as asymptomatic carriers. Therefore, it is vital to diagnose COVID-19 by detecting the virus in respiratory samples. In the early period of the COVID-19 outbreak, infected people were identified through a rapid and accurate diagnosis. Accordingly, an initial response, such as appropriate quarantine and treatment, was critical in preventing the spread of the disease. This report briefly reviews the literature on COVID-19 and shares the experience of the Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine for the early establishment of molecular diagnostic testing with the cooperation of stakeholders.

Keyword

Coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Diagnostic testing; SARS-CoV-2

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